Q: There have been a lot of papers recently about the spike in p-values just below 0.05, haven’t there?
A: Yes. A bit depressing. But there’s a new analysis that says it’s ok.
Q: Really? That’s great!
A: Yes, Daniel Lakens shows that you can explain the recent increase in just-significant p-values, and that “data does not provide any indication of an increase in questionable research practices”
Q: And is his modelling correct?
A: It certainly looks plausible.
Q: So what does explain the 0.04 spike, if it’s not ‘questionable research practices’
A: Let’s see…Ah. A decrease in power and increase in publication bias.
** crickets **
Q: Sorry, I got nothing.
A: Well, better go, grant proposals aren’t going to write themselves.